With 18 of the island’s gin distilleries involved in Hobart’s first gin festival this month, gin lovers have the chance to sample the different flavours the spirit inspires and speak with producers.

Northern distilleries Strait, The Splendid Gin, Adams Gin, The Abel Gin Company, Ironhouse and North-West’s Southern Wild Distillery represent the top half of the state at Gin-uary.

East Coast-based The Splendid Gin was started by two couples just over a year ago, but has fast won fans in Tasmania and on the mainland.

The couples both live in properties once inhabited by Louisa Ann Meredith and used this connection as a foundation for their spirit, brand director Michael Travalia said.

“We use East Coast botanicals from the old English gardens Louisa Ann Meredith had and spring water from Spring Vale Estate. It’s a nice synergy,” Mr Travalia said.

“We’ve conducted quite an exploration of Louisa Ann Meredith’s heritage and her own exploration of the botanicals so we were very specific about the high quality gin we wanted to create,” he said.

Winemaker Natalie Fryar, of Pipers Brook and Jansz fame, created the base gin, which is distilled four times.

“We’re lighter than a lot of the gins so it’s something you can drink on ice or mix. We created The Splendid Gin to put a high quality product on the table,” he said.

Gin-uary will be held at The Goods Shed in Hobart on January 27.